Growing up, you pick your favorite teams for a number of varying sports. If you grow up in California, you have a major selection to choose from. Especially if you are a baseball fan. There are the Angels, the A's, the Padres, the Giants, and of course, the Dodgers. Baseball is, of course, America's favorite pastime and when you pick your team you tend to chose wisely.
Growing up in California, with a dad who loved the Dodgers, made this decision easy for me. With many iconic players, owners, and announcers the Dodgers have won my heart first and foremost with their history. Many children learn their ABCs when they are young, but Dodgers fans re-learn them the older they get. Of course, we add our own little twist to the normal letters we use everyday.
These things being said, here are the ABCs of the Los Angeles Dodgers:
AJ Ellis
The dodgers most valuable catcher for eight years now. Constantly being the number one pick as catcher for ace pitcher, Clayton Kershaw.
Brooklyn Dodgers
Before coming to the beautiful city of Los Angeles, the dodgers started their legacy in Brooklyn, NY.
Chavez Ravine
Deep in the heart of Los Angeles is a little place known as Chavez Ravine, home to the ever popular Dodgers Stadium.
Dodger dogs
Dodger dogs, not actual dogs. No, hot dogs that are a must-get whenever a fan (or non-fan), goes to the beautiful Dodgers Stadium.
Ethier, Andre
10 years. 1,354 hits. 154 home runs. 682 runs batted in. Ethier has been a key player for the Dodgers for almost as long as I have been a fan. With reaching 10 years in baseball, Ethier will now have to give consent to leave this wonderful team.
Fernando Valenzuela
El Toro (the bully), nicknamed by fans following his debut. Valenzuela pitched for the Dodgers for eleven consecutive years, before being traded after bad spring training stats in 1991.
Gonzales, Adrian
A-gon. Gonzo. ARGO. Adrian Gonzales. Four names that classify one of the Dodgers key hitters and all-around influential players. A player (in my mind) that has the most wholesome attitude and definitely displays Christ in all he does. Gonzales has great potential of going down in Dodger history.
History
Starting as the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1911, and signing many iconic players the Dodgers are one immensely historical team. After moving to Los Angeles in 1957, the Dodgers became the most recognizable team throughout the state of California. Going through many iconic players, there have also been many great owners, and an amplitude of managers (some bad and some good).
Iconic infield of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russel, and Ron Cey
These four guys alone are some of the best to have passed through the Dodger dugout. However, these four together make up the four infielders that played together longer than any other infield in history.
Jackie Robinson
Words escape my mind when it comes to this player. Would you say legend? Icon? Courageous? Strong? How about inspiring. This player not only did a lot for the boys in blue, but for baseball as a whole. Robinson broke multiple barriers and endured many hardships just so he could play the game he loved. Thank you, Jackie Robinson.
Kershaw, Clayton
CLAYTON KERSHAW. Enough said, am I right? The dodgers Ace player, three time Cy Young award winner, a no hitter, multiple all star appearances, and MVP in 2014. The Dodgers fandom and players alike have mad respect for this key player on our 40 man roster. Kershaw will be sure to go down in history.
Los Angeles logo
If we're being honest here, the LA logo is one of the most simplistic MLB logos. However, it is also one of the nicest looking in all of the league.
Magic Johnson
The Los Angeles Dodgers current owner, and former Los Angeles Lakers player. One must never forget sports icon, Magic Johnson.
No hitter
"No hitter" in its most simple form is exactly what you would assume. It's when a pitcher pitches all nine innings and doesn't let the opposite team get even one hit. It is an incredibly hard task to accomplish. However, the dodgers have pitched a combined 25 no hitters, the last being Clayton Kershaw's in 2014.
October
October. The last month of baseball ends with the World Series. Of course many people know that much about baseball. However, it is a major accomplishment to make it to October to postseason. A place every Dodgers team member longs to meet one day.
Pregame rituals
At Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers put on pregame rituals. The main one being a video at the beginning of each game, outlining the rules and guidelines for all fans in the stands to obey. This has to be one of the best parts about being in the actual stadium for game day.
Quinn, Jack
A player who didn't play for the Dodgers for long. However, he did all he could in that short time to be the best player he could be.
Rivalries
Every team has their rivalries, its classic sports. However the Dodgers have a giant rivalry. One with the San Fransisco Giants, that has been around for many years. These two teams constantly butt heads and go at it whenever it matters the most (or even when it doesn't). Dodgers fans and Giants fans will always be in a battle of who is better.
Sandy Koufax
1955-1966, Sandy Koufax was definitely one of the best players the Dodgers have ever seen. With four no hitters and the only perfect game in Dodgers history, Koufax definitely deserves the nickname he was given. "The Left Arm of God".
Tommy Lasorda
Pitcher, third base coach, manager, olympic team member, and an all star player. Tommy Lasorda definitely deserved to have hi number retired with the Dodgers and deserves the title of a legend.
Uniforms (DODGER BLUE)
It isn't blue, it's Dodgers blue. The dodgers don't have to change their uniforms every year, because nothing beats those classic Dodger Blue uniforms.
Vin Scully
The voice of the Dodgers? No, the voice of LA! Vin Scully has been the Dodgers announcer for 64 seasons, with this season being his last. Dodgers fans hear that classic saying "It's time for Dodgers baseball" and automatically think Vin Scully, and probably always will.
World series wins
They might not have many. They might not have had one for 28 years, but the Dodgers are exponentially proud of the six series wins they do have. One day they will get another one, and that is worth the wait.
Xavier, Paul
Considering this players career as a Dodger was not long-lived, there isn't too much one can say. However, Dodgers fans will forever be grateful for the fact that he stepped up when former Dodgers player Manny Ramirez was caught for drug usage.
Yasiel Puig
Current Dodger outfielder, Yasiel Puig has been one of the Dodgers highest home run hitters. With a little bit of attitude and a whole lot of power. Puig is definitely a player worth mentioning.
Zach Greinke :(
Former pitcher for LA, Greinke has pitched for many teams. However, if it wasn't for him the Dodgers would have struggled more than they did the last 5 years. Grinch moved onto another team and is well missed. However, he will always be a Dodger in my eyes.
Although, this post was ultimately designed to be a tribute to the team that will always be number one in my heart. I want to say thank you to my dad for being the main reason I fell in love with Dodgers baseball. For showing me exactly what baseball is all about, and teaching me everything I need to know. Thank you, dad, for the many games, conversations, and nights watching baseball on TV with me. The Los Angeles Dodgers will always be one thing that brings us close together, and for that I will forever be grateful.
